Game 82: Devils Clinch Number Two Seed

Written by AJ Manderichio on 12 April 2010.

While it wasn’t the most important game of the day, the New Jersey Devils and Buffalo Sabres went head to head to determine their seed in the Eastern Conference.

Jamie Langenbrunner scored an empty-net, powerplay goal with three seconds left to defeat the Sabres, 2-1, and clinch the second seed for the Devils Sunday.

“We did what we wanted to do,” Langenbrunner said. “We finished as high as possible. We’ve given ourselves a big opportunity. Now we have to go deliver in the playoffs.”

The Devils will face the Philadelphia Flyers in the first round of the playoffs. The Flyers won five of six meetings this season.

Bryce Salvador The game-winning goal proved to be an odd one for Langenbrunner. With the Sabres needing to win in regulation, Sabres coach Lindy Ruff decided to pull goalie Patrick Lalime. With the Sabres shorthanded, Ruff wanted to simply try and create some offense. But the move failed, as Lalime knocked into referee Steve Kozari and fell to the ice.

Just seconds after that, Langenbrunner received a pass from Zach Parise and put the puck into the empty net for his 19th goal of the season.

“It was one of the odder ones,” Langenbrunner said. “It caught us by surprise. I saw him taking off. It was obviously a tough situation for them. They had to win it in regulation. It’s tough when you’re short-handed like that. We weren’t sure if they were going to do it or not.”

Thomas Vanek scored his fifth goal in two games to give the Sabres a lead, 1-0, in the second period. Derek Roy fed the puck to low to Vanek, who put it under Martin Brodeur for his 28th goal of the season.

Travis Zajac tied the game at 6:27 of the period. Paul Martin took a shot from the point that Lalime stopped. The rebound came to Zajac, who put home the rebound for his 25th goal of the season.

Zajac set career highs in goals and points (67), and tied his career-high with 42 assists.

Brodeur made a terrific save on Roy, denying the forward in the opening minute of the third period.

The Devils’ goalie helped backstop the team to the William Jennings Trophy, awarded to the team with the least amount of goals allowed. The Devils allowed 186 goals, five less than Boston.

With the win, the Devils clinch home-ice advantage until the conference finals, if they make it that far.

Game Notes:

With the win, Brodeur had 45 wins this season. That total stands second to his 2006-2007 campaign, where he won a career-best 48 games…Langenbrunner’s goal ended a six-game pointless streak…The Flyers defeated the Devils, 4-2, in the 2004 Eastern Conference quarterfinals…The public address system malfunctioned for 15 minutes, meaning no announcements were made and no music was played. Eventually, the problem was fixed.

Photo Credit: Chris McGrath/Getty Images

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Game 81: Devils Pound Islanders, Win Atlantic Division

Written by AJ Manderichio on 11 April 2010.

Call it consistency. Call it good team-building.

Whatever you call it, the New Jersey Devils have built a perennial winner. The team exploded for seven goals to defeat the New York Islanders, 7-1, to clinch their ninth division title.

The Devils will have a chance to wrap-up the second seed tomorrow against the Buffalo Sabres.

Dainius Zubrus, Zach Parise and Dean McAmmond scored in a span of 4:54 to put the Devils ahead, 3-0, in the first period.

Zubrus opened the scoring at 10:54 of the first period. Islanders goalie Martin Biron lost his balance and fell to the ice after Paul Martin whiffed on a shot from the point. Zubrus gained control of the loose puck in the right circle, and his shot deflected off of Biron and defenseman Bruno Gervais and into the net for Zubrus' 10th goal of the season.

Parise stretched the lead to two at 14:18 of the period. Colin White put a shot on net, and Biron left a rebound in front. Parise swiped the puck into an open net for his 38th goal of the year.

McAmmond extended the lead to three with his goal at 15:48. McAmmond took a bad angle shot, but the puck found a way through Biron's pads and into the back of the net for his eighth goal of the season.

The Devils kept scoring in the second, tallying two more scores. Patrik Elias tallied on the powerplay at 11:16 of the second period to stretch the lead to four. With Trevor Gillies in the box for unsportsmanlike conduct, Elias fired a shot on net that deflected off of Islanders' defenseman Jack Hillen and into the back of the net for Elias' 18th goal of the season.

Brian Rolston reached the 20-goal plateau with another powerplay tally at 19:11 of the period. With Tim Jackman in the box for roughing, the Devils worked the puck around the offensive zone. Ilya Kovalchuk passed the puck to Rolston, who blasted home a shot from the blue line for the goal.

Kovalchuk kept the scoring going in the third period. Defenseman Andy Greene took a shot from the point that Kovalchuk deflected past Biron for his 41st goal of the year.

Matt Moulson spoiled Martin Brodeur's shutout bid at 13:10 of the third period. With David Clarkson in the box for unsportsmanlike conduct, John Tavares controlled the puck in the Devils' zone. He passed the puck to Moulson, who swatted home the pass for his 29th goal of the season.

Elias scored his second goal at 18:24 of the third period. Elias fired a bad-angle shot on net, but, much like McAmmond's goal, the puck found a way to get through Biron and into the back of the net.

Biron stopped 30 shots in the loss. Brodeur made 18 saves for the win.

With the win, the Devils sealed their second consecutive conference championship. Buffalo's win over the Senators tonight sets up a one-game showdown between the two teams for second place in the conference.

Game Notes:

With the win, the Devils won the season series over the Islanders, 4-2...This is the second night in a row the Islanders allowed seven goals...Devils center Rod Pelley and Islanders center Michael Haley, two lightweights, fought at 5:41 of the second period. Both landed several good punches.

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Game 80: Florida Tallies Two Goals In The Third Period To Defeat Devils, 3-2

Written by AJ Manderichio on 09 April 2010.

njd fla

Last season, Florida Panthers goalie Scott Clemmensen won 25 games with the New Jersey Devils while filling in for a then-injured Martin Brodeur.

Clemmensen, facing his former team, stopped 42 shots to lead the Panthers over the Devils, 3-2, at the BankAtlantic Center.

Clemmensen, who signed a three-year contract with Florida in July, faced his former team for the second time this season. He won his first start, stopping 26 shots in a 4-2 win on December 26.

Radek Dvorak Patrik Elias opened the scoring 59 seconds into the second period. Clemmensen stopped the initial shot, and a rebound chance went off the crossbar. Elias tipped the loose puck past Clemmensen for his 17th goal of the season.

Michael Frolik tied the game at 6:03 of the period. Frolik received a cross-ice pass from Nathan Horton and put a shot on net. The puck deflected off the stick of Rob Niedermayer and beat Brodeur for the tying goal.

Frolik’s goal ended the Devils’ shutout streak of 151 minutes and 29 seconds, which is the third longest in franchise history.

Radek Dvorak put the Panthers ahead, 2-1, 1:14 into the third period. Rostislav Olesz fed Dvorak with a backhanded pass from below the goal line. Dvorak put the shot past Brodeur’s pads for his 14th goal of the season.

Horton stretched the Panthers lead to 3-1 at 12:23 of the period. The center beat Brodeur with a shot from the left circle for his 19th goal of the lead.

Brodeur finished with 15 saves in the loss.

Mike Mottau brought the Devils to within one at 14:46 of the period. But it would be too litte, too late, as the Devils couldn’t get the tying goal.

With the win, the Devils fell back into a tie with the Pittsburgh Penguins for the Atlantic Division lead. Both teams have identical 46-27-7 records, and each team has 99 points. The Devils still hold first place because of their season sweep of the Penguins.

Game Notes:

David Clarkson and Nick Tarnasky dropped the gloves at 2:07 in the third period. Clarkson landed more punches, but both players had trouble keeping their balance…Devils’ defenseman Colin White caught an edge and went hard into the boards at 17:52 of the second period. White got up slowly and skated off the ice, but was fine after the game…Devils’ coach Jacques Lemaire, who wants to try and rest some of his regular players, made defenseman Andy Greene a healthy scratch tonight.

Photo Credit: Wilfredo Lee/AP Photo

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Game 79: Devils Shut Door On Thrashers

Written by Darren S on 07 April 2010.

So What Happened?
The Devils shutout the Altanta Thrashers 3-0 as Marty earned his second straight shutout and his 600th win of his career. Surprisingly, the Thrashers faithful brought out the boo birds for Kovalchuk in his first return to Atlanta since being traded back in February. It didn't seem to get to Kovalchuk, even though he was left off the scoresheet for the night. Devils offense did a good job with oppurtunities although the powerplay didn't produce any goals. The defense looked outstanding as they completely shut down Atlanta, especially in the final period giving up only 2 shots on goal. With the Devils winning, the Atlanta Thrashers are officially elminated from the playoff race.

Who Scored?
Dean McAmmond (7), Zack Parise (37) and Travis Zajac (24)

Any Surprises During The Game?
In my opinion no. The guys that Altanta got in the Kovalchuk trade have done well for them since arriving but the Thrashers were a lot more to fear when Kovalchuk was on their side.

Any Other Thoughts?
Marty has been outstanding lately. In the last 4 games, he's faced 105 shots and stopped all but two of them. He was less than a minute away from getting shutouts against Boston and Chicago and those late goals were more on the defense than on Marty. For the Devils, this is where you want to see Marty. If Marty can get scorching hot going into next week, it could be a nice long run.

Any change in the standings?
The Capitals did the Devils a favor tonight handing the Penguins a loss and giving NJ a 2 point lead in the standings for 2nd overall although the Penguins have games against non-playoff teams remaining. Devils have Florida, the Islanders (who we don't do well against) and Buffalo remaining so 2nd isn't locked up yet.

Who's Next?
Devils are at Florida tomorrow night.

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Game 78: Devils Break Scoring Slump, Defeat Carolina, 4-0

Written by AJ Manderichio on 04 April 2010.

In their past three games, the New Jersey Devils offense went missing.

The team only mustered two goals in their previous three games, losing all three.

The Devils offense broke out, scoring three goals as the Devils shut out the Carolina Hurricanes, 4-0, tonight at the RBC Center.

With the win, the Devils leapfrogged the Pittsburgh Penguins and moved into second place in the Eastern Conference and first in the Atlantic Division. While both teams have 97 points, the Devils swept the Penguins this season, which gives New Jersey the tiebreaker.

Dainius Zubrus began the scoring at 13:13 of the first period. With Chad LaRose in the box for interference, Carolina defenseman Tom Kostopoulos couldn’t clear the puck at the point. Zach Parise stole the puck and tapped it ahead to Zubrus, who was all alone in the left circle. The winger skated toward the net and put a wrist shot through the pads of goalie Cam Ward for his ninth goal of the season.

Patrik Elias increased the Devils lead to two at 18:18 of the period. Ilya Kovalchuk skated the puck into the Hurricanes zone and stopped along the side boards. He sent a pass to the center of the zone, where Elias received the pass. The center held the puck and skated into the right circle. His shot sailed over Ward’s shoulder and into the net for his 16th goal of the year.

Parise increased the lead to three at 7:34 of the third period. Parise passed the puck to Zubrus behind the net, and the winger put a quick shot on Ward. The Carolina goalie left a rebound in front, and a scrum ensued to clear it. Parise found the puck and skated it below the goal line. The left-winger shot the puck in off of Ward’s pads for his 36th goal of the season.

David Clarkson scored the fourth and final goal at 18:28 of the period. With Ward on the bench for an extra attacker, Kovalchuk gained control of the puck in his zone. The winger passed the puck to Elias at the blue line, and he found Clarkson ahead of the Carolina defense at the red line. The right-winger skated down into the zone and slid the puck into the empty net for his 10th goal of the season.

It wasn't just the Devils offense playing a great game. Martin Brodeur was busy in net, making some highlight reel saves to preserve the shutout.

Brodeur made a spectacular save at 5:48 of the first period to keep the 'Canes off the board. With Mike Mottau in the box for hooking, Brett Carson pinched from the slot and into the right circle. He took a shot, but Brodeur slid across the crease and stacked the pass to kick the puck away.

The Devils goalie had to make another great save in the third period. Drayson Bowman carried the puck along the side boards, firing a shot at 13:50 of the period. Erik Staal crashed the net, trying to bring the puck from his backhand to his forehand. The puck skipped away from him, and Bowman put a backhanded shot on net that Brodeur stopped and held.

Brodeur stopped 26 shots for his eighth shutout of the season.

Ward stopped 25 shots in the loss.

With the win, the Devils snap their three-game losing streak. Their next game will be Tuesday in Atlanta.

Game Notes:

The Devils controlled the tempo of play throughout, and they looked like the hungrier team. Analyst Ken Daneyko said it was the best 60 minute Devil game they played "in a month"...Kovalchuk assisted on two goals tonight, bringing his point total to 11 points in the past seven games...Brodeur's shutout was his first since January 20th against the Florida Panthers.

Photo Credit: Gerry Broome/AP Photo

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Game 77: Hawks Win, Devils Don't!

Written by Darren S on 03 April 2010.

chi njd

HOW DO YOU LOSE THAT GAME????

(hint: See the article before this one!!)

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Game 75: Bergeron Scores OT Winner, Sinks Devils, 1-0

Written by AJ Manderichio on 31 March 2010.

Coming into tonight's game, the New Jersey Devils sat two points behind the Pittsburgh Penguins for first place in the Atlantic Division. And the Devils, facing off against the Boston Bruins, were undefeated against the Boston Bruins.

The Devils should have walked away with two points. Instead, Patrice Bergeron scored the game-winning goal to help Boston defeat the Devils, 1-0, in overtime tonight at the Prudential Center.

No Way Patrice! The Bruins started their game-winning attack at their own blue line off an Ilya Kovalchuk turnover. Bergeron carried the puck into the zone and fired a shot on goalie Martin Brodeur. The puck deflected to the corner, where Bergeron gathered it in. He sent a pass to Mark Stuart, who fired a shot from the blue line. Mark Recchi tipped the shot on Brodeur, and the rebound came to Bergeron. The Bruins center put it into the open net for his 18th goal of the season.

Many of the Devils believe the referees should have penalized the Bruins for hooking Kovalchuk.

“Kovie is getting mugged there in the neutral zone and there’s no call,” Brodeur said to Tom Gulliti of the Bergen Record. “It doesn’t feel good because I think everybody thought we were going to get a call there. All game long, these referees, I don’t know what they were watching, but it was kind of a different game for them than for us. But you have to battle through this. You have to get used to it. In the playoffs, that’s what’s going to be.”

Devils center Patrik Elias received a game misconduct penalty after the game for complaining to the refs. Elias would only say “I voiced my opinion.”

Devils coach Jacques Lemaire thought the refs missed the call.

“When Kovalchuk had the puck, I thought he was hooked twice,” Lemaire said to Gulliti. “But, at the end of game like that, a lot of times they will skip these calls.”

The Bruins controlled play throughout the game, dominating the Devils and outshooting their opponent. By the end of the second period, Boston doubled the Devils shot total, 22-11.

Both teams struggled to get any quality scoring chances. Boston almost struck early in the first period, when Brodeur Three Stuart rang a shot off the post from the point. They threatened again in later in the period, but Brodeur stopped that chance. Defenseman Dennis Wideman took a shot from the point, and the rebound laid loose in the crease. Brodeur dove to his right and covered the puck just as Marco Sturm attempted to put in the rebound.

Brodeur finished with his 33 saves in the loss.

The Devils got their first chance at 13:37 of the first period. Boston goalie Tuukka Rask misplayed a puck in his own zone, and the puck sat near the net. Dean McAmmond tried to get the puck, but he was apparently tripped before he could get a shot on net. No penalty was called.

David Clarkson nearly put the Devils ahead in the third period. Clarkson’s shot from 20 feet went past the glove of Rask, but it hit the crossbar and skittered wide of net.

“It just nicked my glove,” Rask said. “I don’t think they counted it as a save but I did.”

Rask finished the game with 21 saves for his sixth career shutout.

With the win, the Bruins kept a hold of the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference. Boston stayed two points in front of the Atlanta Thrashes and four points in front of the New York Rangers. Both teams won their games tonight.

The overtime loss guaranteed the Devils one point. They now sit one point behind Pittsburgh for the Atlantic Division lead and the second seed in the Eastern Conference. Both teams have six games remaining.

The Devils next game is Friday, April 2, against the Blackhawks at the Prudential Center.

Game Notes:

There were no penalties called until the third period, when each team received two minors…The Devils, who were undefeated against the Bruins, finished with a 3-1-0 record against them this season…This is the seventh time the Devils were shutout this season.

Patrice Bergeron Photo Credit: Bill Kostroun/AP Photo

Martin Brodeur Photo Credit: Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

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Game 75: Flyers Beat NJ.....AGAIN!!

Written by Darren S on 29 March 2010.

njd phi

What a let down this game was. The Flyers have had a pretty easy time dealing with the Devils this season and at a time where the Flyers injuries should have gotten the best of them, they got the best of the Devils. I certainly was afraid the Devils might not show up tonight which I sort of mentioned in the pregame notes. The Flyers made the Devils look like they were the team struggling for 8th and the Flyers were the team battling for 2nd overall.

Some other thoughts from tonight's tilt

Devils Passing: Terrible. In fact, it was so off the mark that at times it would create chances for the Flyers. Case in point, Richards rang one off the post in the second after some bad passing by the Devils.

Marty Brodeur: Not sure where his head was in this game becaus he wasn't there. At 2-0 I would have yanked him but he got the hook after the 2nd.

Kovalchuk Rings One Off Prongers Head: OUCH!!

Devils PP: Flyers up 3-0, they were giving the Devils chances to get back into it but the PP didn't do much except for 1 minute during the Carcillo Penalty.

Back to Back Game: Devils have been strong this season in Back to Backs so I can't blame tonight on that.

One Shining Moment: Kovalchuk's 39th of the year. Rolston did a great job finding Ilya in the slot who fired one home. Of course 32 seconds later, the Flyers got it back. It was just that type of night!!

There's not a lot to say after a game like this. The Flyers outplayed the Devils every step of the way and like the other night against the Rangers, had a chance to put a hurting on a rival and failed to do so. We'll see what happens Tuesday vs another team barely hanging on to a playoff birth.

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Game 73: Despite Loss, Devils Still Take First Place In Atlantic Division

Written by AJ Manderichio on 26 March 2010.

nyr njd

With 16 seconds left and the Devils ahead, the Rangers saw their playoff chances slipping away.

But Chris Drury tied the game with a late goal, and the Rangers defeated the Devils, 4-3, in a shootout win Thursday night at the Prudential Center.

Colin White - 3:25:10 Rangers center Erik Christensen scored the only shootout goal, clinching the win for the Rangers. Christensen came down and fired a shot low on Devils' goalie Martin Brodeur. The puck bounced off the right post and seemed to go into the net for the goal. The officials first ruled no goal, but video replays showed the puck hit the netting and came out of the goal. Christensen was credited with the shootout tally.

The Rangers wouldn't have got to the shootout if not for Chris Drury.

With the Rangers trailing, 3-2, Drury scored with 16 seconds left in the third period to tie the game at three. After winning the faceoff, the Rangers sent the puck behind the net. Christensen controlled the puck and sent a backhanded pass to the crease. Drury one-timed the puck past the pads of Brodeur for his 12th goal of the season.

Jamie Langenbrunner gave the Devils a lead, 3-2, at 12:57 of the third period. With the Rangers in the midst of a line change, Patrik Elias Elias sent a backhanded pass to Langenbrunner along the blue line. The captain skated the puck into the left circle and blasted a puck past Henrik Lundqvist for his 17th goal of the season.

Ilya Kovalchuk began the scoring at 5:21 of the first period. The Devils moved into the zone with a 3-on-2 rush, and Brian Rolston put a slap shot on Lundqvist. The puck bounced off the heel of his glove, and Kovalchuk put the rebound through Lundqvist’s pads for his 38th goal of the year.

Rolston’s assist was his first point in seven games.

Brandon Dubinsky’s powerplay goal at 7:32 of the second period tied the game at one. With Rolston in the box for interference, Dubinsky collected a loose puck behind the net. He skated to the side boards and passed the puck to Michael Del Zotto, who passed the puck right back on a give-and-go. Dubinsky skated into the right circle and shot the puck through a screen and into the net for his 17th goal of the season.

With the game tied at one, Brodeur made a spectacular save to keep the game tied early in the third. The Rangers took possession of the puck behind the net. A pass came to a wide-open Ollie Jokinen in the slot. The center rifled a shot on goal, but Brodeur stopped the shot with his mask for the save.

Elias’ goal at 3:53 of the third period put the Devils ahead, 2-1. David Clarkson collected a loose puck behind the net and skated it to the side boards. Elias, coming off the bench, found an open spot in the slot. He one-timed Clarkson’s pass over the glove of Lundqvist for his 14th goal of the season.

The Rangers came back to even the score with a goal from Artem Anisimov at 9:40 of the third period. Anisimov’s goal came from a bad defensive play by Bryce Salvador. With Brandon Prust and Salvador racing for the puck in the Devils zone, Salvador decided to try and play Prust instead of the puck. Prust skated by Salvador and sent a centering pass to Anisimov at the front of the net. Anisimov held the puck, and Brodeur went down to the butterfly. Anisimov lifted the puck over a helpless Brodeur and into the net for his 12th goal of the season.

Lundqvist helped keep the Rangers in the game the entire night. He stopped Elias on two different breakaway opportunities, denying Elias with the pads on both attempts.

Brodeur finished the game with 28. Lundqvist finished with 35 saves for the victory.

With the win, the Rangers move within three points of the Boston Bruins for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The Blueshirts, currently 10th in the standings, sit one point behind Atlanta for the ninth spot in the conference.

Despite the loss, the Devils grabbed first place from the idle Pittsburgh Penguins. Since the Thrashers gained a point tonight, the Devils did not clinch a playoff spot.

Game Notes:

Jody Shelly and Andrew Peters dropped the gloves at 9:01 of the first period. Shelly landed most of the punches, but Peters knocked him to the ice with a solid right to end the fight...The Devils took first because of their head-to-head record with the Pittsburgh Penguins...Langenbrunner's goal ended an eight-game goal drought...Ryan Callahan left tonight's game and didn't return after re-aggravating a leg injury...Tonight's game was the 12th sellout of the season, a record for the Devils at the Prudential Center.

Photo Credit: Bill Kostroun/AP Photo

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Game 72: Devils Powerplay Erupts To Sink Columbus, 6-3

Written by AJ Manderichio on 24 March 2010.

cmb njd

Coming into tonight's matchup against the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Devils were 0-for-17 on the powerplay in their last six games.

The streak troubled the team so much they dedicated significant practice time throughout the week to perfect the attack.

The practice paid off, and the Devils scored three powerplay goals en-route to a win, 6-3, over the Blue Jackets Tuesday at the Prudential Center.

Zach Parise's powerplay goal at 13:01 of the first period gave the Devils a 1-0 lead. With Rick Nash in the box for roughing, the Devils caused a turnover in the Blue Jackets zone. Patrik Elias checked defenseman Kris Russell along the side boards, and the puck slid away from both players. Jamie Langenbrunner took the puck in the right circle and fired a shot to the middle of goalie Steve Mason's pads, creating a rebound. Parise crashed the net and put the rebound home for his 34th goal of the season.

Paul Martin made it two powerplay goals at 1:14 of the second period. With Kristian Huselius in the box for hooking, Ilya Kovalchuk passed the puck to Elias at the side boards. Elias skated to the top of the left circle and fired a wrist shot through Langenbrunner's screen. The rebound caromed out to Martin, who pinched down to the right circle. The Devils' defenseman fired the puck into the open net for his second goal of the season.

Down 2-0, Columbus responded to cut the lead in half. After carrying the puck into the Devil's zone, Huselius left a drop pass for Antoine Vermette. The center fired a shot from the blue line that beat Brodeur over the glove for his 23rd goal of the season.

The Devils responded, scoring three straight goals in 6:35 to blow open the game.

Ilya Kovalchuk tallied the third Devils' powerplay goal at 12:32 of the second period. Mike Mottau started the play at the blue line by keeping the puck in the zone. He sent the puck to Parise in the left circle, who sent a cross-ice pass to Kovalchuk. Kovalchuk fired a shot to the short-side for his 37th goal of the season.

Travis Zajac's goal three minutes later put the Devils ahead, 4-1. Martin passed the puck to Kovalchuk, who let go a shot from the slot. The puck hit Zajac in the back and bounced into the open net for his 22nd goal of the season.

Zajac wasn't done, tallying his second goal of the period at 19:07 to extend the Devils lead, 5-1. Once again, it was Zajac deflecting a puck past Mason for a goal. Mottau fired a shot from the point that deflected off the back of Zajac's knee and into the net for his 23rd goal of the season.

The Devils finished the game 3-for-6 with the man advantage. They last scored three powerplay goals November 11, 2009 against Ottawa.

With the win, the Devils snapped a two-game winless streak. New Jersey overtook Pittsburgh for the Atlantic Division lead, and they now hold the second spot in the Eastern Conference.

The Devils will finish their three-game homestand Wednesday night against the New York Rangers.

Game Notes:

Devils goalie Martin Brodeur won for the 40th time this season, marking the eighth time the Devils goalie reached that mark...Kovalchuk finished with four points (1 G, 3 A), by far his most productive night as a Devil...Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond once again dropped the gloves, fighting Jared Boll in the second period. This fight didn't last 2:30 minutes like his Sunday bought, and there wasn't a clear-cut winner.

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